Hospital board approves budget

During a special meeting Monday evening, the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees approved the budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Hospital CEO Margie Molitor reported the budget had not changed from the preliminary one presented during the board’s regular June meeting.

According to that report, budget estimates include: gross patient revenue is about $32,170,000; total operating revenue is about $21,228,000; and total operating expenses are about $21,518,000. A net operating loss of about $290,000 is also expected, but so is a non-operating income of $243,000, bringing the estimated loss to about $47,000 before restricted fund.

The restricted fund includes money from the one percent special purpose tax is placed, and it’s estimated about $975,000 will be collected through the tax in the coming fiscal year.